FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

This early injury report will provide in-depth injury information on key fantasy players that suffered injuries in the previous weekend's games. All player injuries will be tracked during the week via our Injury & Practice Reports which are published on Fridays. Be sure you check out our Priority News often during the week as all breaking player news will be posted there.

QUARTERBACKS

Jason Campbell, OAK – Undisclosed Knee Injury

Raiders’ QB Jason Campbell briefly left on Sunday after hurting his right knee on a scramble in the first quarter. The nature of the injury is unknown, but he was able to return and finish the game. Campbell went down and grabbed his knee after being pushed out of bounds on a third down run early in the game. Kyle Boller replaced him on the next offensive series, but Campbell was able to walk it off and he returned to the game on the following series. Campbell was scheduled to have the knee examined on Monday so we should know more about the nature and severity of the injury soon.

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA - Gluteal Muscle Strain

Seahawks’ QB Matt Hasselbeck, who did not play on Sunday because of a gluteal muscle strain, will split snaps with the first-team offense with Charlie Whitehurst in practice this week and head coach Pete Carroll indicated that he wants to see how Hasselbeck does in practice before he announces a starting QB. Hasselbeck was active on Sunday, however he was far from 100%. Whitehurst got the start in his place and he played fairly well in the team’s biggest win of the season. Hasselbeck is improving, but it looks like he is at least one more week away from being completely healthy so there is a chance that Carroll could go with Whitehurst against the Saints. Check back later in the week for an update.

Chad Henne, MIA – Concussion

The Miami Dolphins’ rotated quarterbacks on Sunday against the Patriots switching between Chad Henne and Tyler Thigpen. But it turns out that Henne was pulled from the game for good because he was suffering from concussion symptoms. It isn’t clear how he was hurt, but according to reports he complained of a headache and dizziness on the sideline in the second half. The team expects him to be fine in a week or two, but his future with the Dolphins is currently unknown.

Mark Sanchez, NYJ – Torn Glenoid Labrum

Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez, who has been diagnosed with a torn glenoid labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder, told reporters following Sunday’s game that he continues to feel sore but that he will be ready for the team’s playoff game against the Colts. Sanchez played in just one offensive series against the Bills on Sunday and he didn’t attempt a pass. He admitted afterwards that his shoulder was not 100% and said that it would probably need to be surgically repaired in the off-season. However the team’s medical staff has told him that the injury can’t get any worse, so it has become a matter of pain tolerance. Team physicians and trainers will do what they can to manage his discomfort. However don’t be surprised if the shoulder affects his performance during the playoffs.

RUNNING BACKS

Chris Ivory, NO – Undisclosed Ankle Injury

Saints’ rookie RB Chris Ivory left Sunday’s game against the Bucs with an undisclosed ankle injury and his status for the team’s first round playoff game is questionable. Ivory appeared to roll his ankle in the second quarter and he was examined on the sideline by the medical staff before being taken to the locker room. According to reports he had precautionary X-rays in the locker room on Sunday and an MRI on Monday. The results have not been made public, but he was seen leaving the stadium after the game on crutches and with his foot in a protective boot and he was reportedly using both again on Monday. Head coach Sean Payton has not revealed the nature of the injury, but it looks like Pierre Thomas will be back and he will probably get a bulk of the carries against the Seahawks regardless of Ivory’s status.

Danny Woodhead, NE – Concussion

Patriots’ RB Danny Woodhead, who left Sunday’s game after suffering head trauma on a first-quarter hit that resulted in a fumble, has been diagnosed with a concussion. However team officials are optimistic that he will be cleared for their playoff opener in two weeks. Woodhead was seen being tested for a concussion shortly after leaving the field following his fumble and the medical staff confiscated his helmet indicating that he tested positive on the sideline. The concussion does not appear to be serious, but he underwent neurological testing on Monday and he is scheduled to undergo additional testing today to determine its severity. Since the Patriots’ have a first-round bye, he has an extra week to recover and he should be cleared in time for the team’s first playoff game.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Kenny Britt, TEN – Strained Groin

Titans’ WR Kenny Britt left Sunday’s game with a strained groin, but he has plenty of time to recover during the off-season and he should be 100% when the team begins its off-season conditioning program. Britt was hurt when he was grabbed by a defender as he was “coming out of a double move” in the third quarter. He told reporters that he felt his muscle tighten up and he had to leave the game as a result. The injury is not considered serious, but Britt missed several games earlier in the season with a partially torn hamstring so there are concerns about his durability. Britt told reporters that he will focus on his conditioning during the off-season and improve his diet in hopes that he has a healthier 2011 season.

Vincent Jackson, SD – Sprained Ankle

Chargers’ WR Vincent Jackson suffered a sprained ankle during Sunday’s game, however the injury is not considered serious and he should be healthy when the team begins its off-season conditioning program. Jackson was hurt while making a catch in the second quarter. He initially bobbled the pass near the sideline and he appeared to turn his ankle as he secured the ball. Jackson stayed on the ground holding his ankle for several minutes before being escorted off the field and into the locker room. X-rays were reportedly negative, but did not return to the game. As expected his ankle was sore on Monday, but he with rest and treatment the medical staff expects him to be fine in a couple of weeks.

Calvin Johnson, DET – Sprained Ankle

Lions’ WR Calvin Johnson, who has been dealing with a sprained ankle for a couple of weeks, made it through pre game warm-ups and he was activated on Sunday. Unfortunately the coaching staff didn’t want to risk additional injury to Johnson’s ankle so they decided to keep him on the sideline for the entire game. It turns out they didn’t need him as Nate Burleson stepped it up in his absence. Johnson dealt with several injuries this season, but he has plenty of time to recover before the start of OTAs.

TIGHT ENDS

Chris Cooley, WAS – Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

According to reports Redskins’ TE Chris Cooley had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Monday morning, and while the procedure is considered minor he will probably miss next month’s Pro Bowl as a result. The Redskins have not previously reported an issue with Cooley’s knee and he played in all 16 games this season indicating that whatever the injury is the medical staff was able to successfully manage it. If everything goes well with his recovery team officials believe that he will be ready in time for OTAs.

Jimmy Graham, NO – Sprained Ankle

TE Jimmy Graham’s status for the Saints’ first-round playoff game against the Seahawks is questionable after the rookie left Sunday’s game with a sprained right ankle. Graham, who was getting a lot of playing time because the team’s top 2 tight ends Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas were inactive, turned his ankle in the second quarter and he did not finish the game. Graham will miss practice time this week while he recovers and we should know more about his status later in the week.

Zach Miller, OAK – Undisclosed Knee Injury

Raiders’ TE Zack Miller left Sunday’s game with what initially appeared to be a serious knee injury. But he was able to return and he finished with 5 catches for 31 yards. A Chiefs’ defender fell on Miller’s right knee causing it to bend awkwardly as he was blocking on a first-quarter play. It looked like he was in a lot of pain, but he was able to jog off the field on his own. He was taken to locker room where he was examined and he quickly returned to the game. The exact nature of his injury is unknown, but it does not appear to be serious. Miller’s biggest concern is with his foot. He played a large portion of the 2010 season with a torn plantar fascia on the bottom of his foot. It isn’t clear if he will need surgery to repair the damage but he will definitely spend a good portion of the off-season recovering.